The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has scored yet another major victory in Nigeria’s ongoing war against bandits in the North-West, particularly Zamfara State.
The Air Force, on New Year Day, said its airstrikes in a forest in Zamfara State killed notorious and two of the most wanted bandit leaders, Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga. Several other bandits were also neutralised.
Confirming the news, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the notorious bandit leaders were routed when a NAF aircraft under Operation Hadarin Daji, bombed bandits’ enclaves in the Gusami Forest and Tsamre Village both in Birnin Magaji local government area of Zamfara State.
Military sources said dozens of bandits who had converged at the late Auta’s residence for his burial were also hit by the fighter jet, resulting an unconfirmed number of casualties.
“For now, the whereabouts of other notorious bandits like Alhaji Nashama, Shingi and Halilu who may either be incapacitated or on the run remain unknown,” one military intelligence officer was reported to have confirmed.
The criminals were also reported to have suffered heavy casualties during mop-up strikes by the Air Force fighter jets operating under Operation Hadarin Daji as they fled or took cover under trees.
Impressed by the strings of successes recorded recently in the theatre of war, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Lucky Irabor, commended the Armed Forces for their sterling performance and sacrifice in keeping Nigeria safe in 2021, despite challenges.
Irabor gave the commendation in his New Year messsage.
A statement issued by the acting Director of Defence Information, Air Commander Wap Maigida, said the CDS saluted personnel of the armed forces for their loyalty, doggedness, endurance, courage, and gallantry in keeping the nation safe and secure.
He said the troops had displayed uncommon resilience and courage in the face of danger while surmounting the myriad of security threats.
“In retrospect,” General Irabor continued, “the end of 2021 affords the AFN unique opportunity to remember the sacrifices of its men and women who work in extreme conditions in trenches, in fields and in far-flung places away from the comfort of their loved ones to keep Nigerians safe and secure.”
Irabor said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had continued to discharge their constitutional mandate of maintaining the territorial integrity of the nation, suppressing insurrection, and supporting the country’s civil authority to restore order whenever they were called upon to do so.
He said this was manifest in the light of violent, irregular, complex and manifestations of contemporary as well as evolving national security challenges.
Leadership newspaper also reported that Gen Irabor reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the essential requirements of the Armed forces even as President Muhammadu Buhari had consistently assured.
Irabor urged personnel to continue to cherish esprit de corps in the conduct of their duties at all times, while pledging loyalty to the president and the Constitution of the country.
The CDS paid glowing tributes to the nation’s fallen heroes including the late former Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru.
According to him, the armed forces will never forget their sacrifices in line with the spirit and letters of the national anthem which is “The labours of our heroes’ past shall not be in vain”.
Irabor used the occasion to wish members of the armed forces good health, personal happiness and success in 2022.
